Corporate Party Venue Checklist

Do you have a business or corporate party coming up? Choosing the perfect venue is crucial for a successful event. Careful planning, a lot of site visits, and a checklist of essential amenities can go a long way in helping you find the right venue for your next corporate party.

There are several types of corporate party venues available, and your choice should depend on the activities you intend to do, the size of the gathering, the tone and style of the event, geographical constraints that might affect member attendance, and the services offered by the event venue. Conference centers are popular because they are built for hosting meetings and symposiums, and are well supplied with amenities and equipment. They are often located in convenient areas. For larger industry functions, convention centers might be a good choice. For upscale and classy corporate parties, many organizers choose country clubs that offer varied down-time activities as well as on-site leisure activities (like golf).

If attendees require on-site accommodation, then hotels may be the most practical option.

Checklist of Essential Amenities

No matter which type of venue you choose, be sure to check on the following:

1. Catering

One of the things attendees look forward to when going to a corporate party is great food. Do not disappoint them in this aspect. Check immediately if the venue you are considering provides catering services. If they do, assess the high standard.

• Can they do custom menus and cater for any dietary restrictions?
• Will the style of food presentation and preparation suit the vibe of your party?
• Do they have tables, linens, and chairs you can use?
• Do they have their own setup and cleanup crew?

If a venue offers all these catering amenities and services, you can save a lot of money by using what they have in stock, assuming that they match your theme. If the venue cannot provide on-site catering, ask if they allow external caterers to come in and operate on their premises. Check if they have adequate facilities for food storage, preparation, and serving. Be sure to ask if there are any additional fees for tables, linens, chairs, set-up & cleanup, ect.

2. Space

Obviously, your venue needs to be large enough for all attendees. What is the capacity? There are safety and fire codes to follow, so don’t try to fit 500 people into a venue that can only accommodate 250.

3. Handy Extras

Some of the best corporate party venues also provide the following:

• Dedicated meeting managers
• Essential audio visual equipment - PA system and microphones, projectors, monitors, sufficient power outlets, whiteboards if necessary, an A/V control booth, lighting rigs, etc.
• Wireless internet

4. Parking

Does the venue provide valet parking and/or a parking lot? If not, find out if there are nearby parking lots that attendees can use.

As you can see, you need to consider a lot of factors when choosing the venue for your corporate party. By taking the above into consideration, you’ll eventually find the most suitable venue for your next event.

About The Author:

This article was written by Marnie MacAlpine, Assistant General Manager at Hopkinton Country Club. The Hopkinton Country Club is a perfect place for any event or celebration, business meeting or golf outing. Their golf course features a fully stocked golf pro shop with custom club fitting, golf accessories, golf and leisure apparel for men’s and women’s.